Deans/Directors Meeting

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ATTENDING:

Shane Burgess (guest)
Robert Cooper
Kent Hoblet
George Hopper
Will McCarty
Melissa Mixon
Ruben Moore
Jonathan Pote
Lynn Reinschmiedt
Vance Watson
Bob Williams
Ben West

Agenda Item: Graduate and Post Graduate Bio-Economy Entrepreneurship Certification (Bio E-CERT)

Discussion: Dr. Shane Burgess presented a proposal to the deans and directors, which was distributed earlier for their initial review. The proposal was for a program that focuses on the roles of inventors, entrepreneurs, and founders in successful bioscience-economy ventures. It was designed for DAFVM students who plan to pursue a career combining scientific, technical, and business skills. The program is modeled after the Jack Hatcher Engineering Entrepreneurship Program that is currently only in the College of Engineering.

Action: The deans and directors will visit with their department heads to determine possible student interest and communicate their findings to Dr. Burgess and the vice president’s office.

Agenda Item: General Fund Transfer- February and Year-to-date

Discussion: General Fund Transfers by the State Tax Commission for February were $4.3 million above the estimate. This puts year-to-date transfers at $7.2 million below the estimate. Transfers of individual income taxes, corporate taxes, oil severance taxes, gaming fees and taxes continue to exceed the estimate while individual income tax and use tax transfer remain under the estimate. The March transfers will be known prior to final budget action by the legislature.

Action: None

Agenda Item: Agricultural Baseline Projections: U.S. Crops, 2008-2017

Discussion: USDA’s Economic Research Service published their annual Ag Baseline Projections in February. The projections cover the major agriculture crop enterprises produced in the U.S. The projection period is 2008-2017. Grain crop plantings are expected to remain high, this is also true for corn and ethanol production, which continues to expand. Cotton plantings may continue to decline for another couple of years but should rebound possibility in 2010. Crop prices are expected to remain strong though most of the projection period. This outcome is good news for our crop farmers but will be negative for our livestock, poultry, and catfish producers. These shifts continue to have implications for the agriculture and forestry sections in Mississippi and for our research and extension efforts. All of the projections and data can be found at ers.useda.gov/briefing/baseline/summary.htm

Action: None

Agenda Item: Legislative Request

Discussion: The current appropriations bill in the legislature includes only minor increases as compared to FY-08 funding. The bills for the four separately budgeted units appear to include enough dollars to cover the increase in health care costs. The IHL Bond Bill, which appears to have a fair chance of passing, includes $3 million for DAFVM renovations at the Wise Center and $6 million for MSU for phase I renovations of Lee Hall. The Appropriations Bill and the Bond Bill should either be passed/amended/defeated by mid-April.

Action: None

Agenda Item: Application for U.S. Residency

Discussion: All non-U.S. residences must apply for and have received U.S. residency prior to applying for tenure. The cost of the process is approximately $5,000. The departments will be responsible for covering this cost.

Action: Departments should monitor this situation carefully to make sure this does not hurt any of our faculty members who are applying for tenure.